23 On October 1, 2023, Aquinas will officially induct the next class of inspiring alumni and friends to the 2023 Hall of Fame. We look forward to celebrating at Aquinas this fall! Event details to follow in the coming weeks. SAVE THE DATE! ERICA HENDERSON ’07 Athletics As a four-year varsity member of the Lady Irish soccer team, Erica tallied 49 goals and 30 assists in her career, while helping the team win three Section V titles. She was a two-time All-Greater Rochester selection in 2005 and 2006, winning AGR Player of the Year in 2006, as she led the team to the New York State Class AA Championship. Erica participated in the Aquinas boxing program for four years at AQ. In 2004, she was named Freshman Fighter of the Night, and was undefeated for all four years. In her senior year, she won the Muhammad Ali Award, which is awarded to the four-year boxer, who exemplifies strong character, involved in other Aquinas activities, puts in extra effort above and beyond the expected level of commitment, and, above all, has high academic standing. In softball, Erica was a three-year varsity player as a catcher and outfielder. In both her junior and senior year, she led the Lady Irish in batting average, home runs, triples and stolen bases. After graduating from Aquinas in 2007, Erica entered West Virginia University on a soccer scholarship, where she continued her success. In 2008, she made the Soccer Buzz Freshman All Mid-Atlantic team, and the Big East Championship All-Tournament Team. As a sophomore, she was named the team’s Most Versatile Player. During her junior and senior seasons, Erica anchored the defense as the team’s center back, where the Lady Mountaineers had 26 shutouts in 46 matches. In 2010, she was named NSCAA Second Team All-Northeast Region. In her time at West Virginia, she helped the team to four NCAA tournament appearances and two Big East Championships. In 2012, Erica was drafted into the Women’s Professional Soccer league to the Western New York Flash. After the WPS folded during the 2012 season, she played professionally for the Afturelding Futbol Club in Iceland. After her season in Iceland, Erica returned stateside and retained a position with the Western New York Flash. AQUINAS 1976 TRACK AND FIELD TEAM Athletics The Track and Field team of 1976 was the first athletic team at Aquinas to capture a Section V Championship. The team won the large school division scoring 28 points to beat out Greece Arcadia with 26, Madison with 23 and Rush-Henrietta with 21. The team was led by two sectional champions, Dan Mastrella ‘76 in the shot put, with a throw of 57’2”, and Eric McMichael ’76 in the high jump, with a leap of 6’4”. Other team members who scored points in the meet were Randy Benjamin ‘78, Mike Lenzi ’76, Bob Birecree ‘76, Joe Brett ‘76, Tom Buerkle ‘76, Rick Caufield ‘76, Paul Contestable ‘76, Tim O’Sullivan ‘76, Bruce Bauer ‘76, Dave Sedita ‘76, Mike Schrader ’78 and Rudy Kearse ‘76. The Section V Championship provided an exclamation point on a historic four years of dominance for the track program. The seniors on the 1976 team completed four years of undefeated competition in head-tohead meets, winning four consecutive City-Catholic League Championships. Their undefeated span was over 38 meets. In addition, the 1976 team also captured the Hornell Invitational beating out 26 teams, which was the first such victory since 1965. During the years from 1972 to 1976, the Aquinas track and field teams were extremely fortunate to be led by some great coaches. Fr. Tom Bales was head coach from 1973-1974, and Ed Mancuso was head coach from 1975-1976. Assistant coaches were Joe Orczyk ‘64, Dave Missell, Fr. Don McCarthy ‘47, Nick Teta, Ray Shea ’66, Tom Gigliotti ‘70, Charlie Maggio ‘48, Bill Austin and Bill Williams. The team was also fortunate to have Fr. Mike Wesley ’57, as the freshman and junior varsity coach.
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